Pulpit Rider comes through in Campanile Stakes

Pulpit Rider looked like a virtual sure thing on paper going into Sunday’s $100,000 Campanile Stakes on the Golden Gate Fields turf, and she rallied nicely in the lane to live up to expectations.

The Lucky Pulpit filly was the lone runner in the field of six 3-year-old fillies with a turf victory, having won the California Cup Oaks at one mile on the Santa Anita turf course in February.

Given a confident ride by Corey Nakatani in the one-mile Campanile Stakes, Pulpit Ridge sat third behind Lavadia and Our Bold Princess until asked to run in the stretch. She shifted out for room and quickly put a tiring Our Bold Princess away. She then wore down Lavadia, the second choice, to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:38.63. Pulpit Rider paid $2.80.

Lavadia, making her turf and route debut, finished a half-length in front of Getting Sideways, who was third.

The race was part of the Golden State Series for California-bred or California-sired fillies.

Owned and bred by Larry and Marianne Williams, Pulpit Rider earned $57,000 for her fourth victory and second stakes win in nine starts. Out of the Williamses' mare Lady Railrider, who earned $603,000 in her multiple stakes-winning career, Pulpit Rider has now earned $260,536.

Also on Sunday, Hardboot ($22.80) used Silky Sullivan-style tactics to win the $100,000 Silky Sullivan Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

He was fourth at the eighth pole, but passed several rivals and pulled clear of Unpossible to win by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:37.33.

A son of Lucky Pulpit bred by James Mann and owned by Silver Creek Stables, Hardboot made his first three starts as a 2-year-old on turf, but Sunday’s victory marked his first start on turf as a 3-year-old.

Trainer Michele Dollase took blinkers off for the race, which is part of the Golden Gate Series for Cal-bred or Cal-sired runners.

Hardboot earned $57,000 for his first stakes victory, more than doubling his career earnings to $94,665.